Revolutionary call: Churches needs to be willing to change

Published: Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012 1:15 a.m. CDT

BY The Rev. Al Campbell, First Congregational Church, Rock Falls

I read an interesting article recently that spoke to me. It was titled “The Revolutionary Mission” and was written by Pastor Brad Powell, senior pastor of Northridge Church in Plymouth, Mich. Powell is the author of “Change Your Church for Good.”

“A world that is going through revolutionary changes cannot be reached, convinced and awakened by a church where everything remains the same. I’m not talking about the truth itself; truth never changes. I’m talking about the way the church engages the world with the truth. To wake the world going through revolutionary changes requires that the church is revolutionary itself.

“This may sound foreign to many Christians and church leaders, but this is what God has called us to be and do. In fact, it should come naturally for genuine Christ followers because Jesus was a revolutionary. The early church followed in Jesus’ footsteps. It became a revolutionary force focused outward and bent on serving others. (Acts 2:41-47)

“Unfortunately, over time, without knowing it, their traditions had replaced God and his truth. The same thing is going on today. The church has turned inward and practice their faith to benefit an exclusive few. They fight to keep the church serving their interests and preferences rather than making sure it is serving God’s purposes.

“This happens because people, without realizing it, slowly begin to commit themselves to the forms of faith rather than the life-changing reality of faith. Though often subtler and less dramatic, it’s no different in its destructive consequences than it was with those that rejected Jesus. For those who professed to be followers, declaring allegiance to him and his truth, they shut him out of their lives.

They made a commitment to their tradition over his truth; their church culture, structure and strategy over God’s mission, and talking the talk rather than walking the walk.

“If we want our churches to fulfill the mission Jesus gave us, we must be like Jesus, revolutionaries. We will be like him. It won’t be easy, but necessary ... and worth it.”